Forget 2014 for now! I know the Lakers are looking ahead for the 2014 FA class and are hoping to sign an elite Free Agent, but I really think we may end up in a bad spot. The only way we have a chance at signing an elite Free Agent is if we have either Howard or similar top-tier player already signed long-term. If that’s not the case, I think we end up using the max on the wrong guy and limit our options for a long time like the Knicks did with Amaré and Nets did on Deron and Joe Johnson (I know it was Atlanta who signed him, but Brooklyn is stuck with him).

I think we need to do whatever possible to re-sign Howard and in case he leans towards signing elsewhere we should attempt to move him for another elite player, like Kevin Love, CP3, Griffin etc. – getting Omer Asik in a sign-and-trade wouldn’t be bad, but probably isn’t going to cut it when it comes to winning championships in 2014 or signing LBJ in 2014.

Couple things,

1) Howard would need to agree to a paycut by agreeing to a S&T. That's not happening unless he desperately wants to play on a team that can't sign him outright.

2) We can't receive any players in a S&T because we are over the cap, so what I said above is irrelevant.

Aight... Just give me Mike Dunleavy Jr and either Dorell Wright or Nick Young... Then draft a speedy defending pg

I could see Nick Young willing to come here because of his roots to LA. Only problem is he doesn't help our defensive problems. If he replaces Meeks at SG off the bench, it is possible to say that we downgraded in the defense department because of Meeks' scrappiness.

I could see Nick Young willing to come here because of his roots to LA. Only problem is he doesn't help our defensive problems. If he replaces Meeks at SG off the bench, it is possible to say that we downgraded in the defense department because of Meeks' scrappiness.

I think Nick Young would be a decent pick-up and what he lacks in scrappiness he has in length. The problem is that it doesn't really solve the two main issues, which is perimeter defense and 3pt shooting.

I'd probably go for a specialists that solve our immediate needs, like Kyle Korver or Ronnie Brewer as well as speedy PGs.

I think a guy like Toney Douglas would be nice. That would never happen though, since MDA dislikes him.

I think Nick Young would be a decent pick-up and what he lacks in scrappiness he has in length. The problem is that it doesn't really solve the two main issues, which is perimeter defense and 3pt shooting.

I'd probably go for a specialists that solve our immediate needs, like Kyle Korver or Ronnie Brewer as well as speedy PGs.

I think a guy like Toney Douglas would be nice. That would never happen though, since MDA dislikes him.

nick young shot the same % from 3 as jodie meeks did this year. and it was a low year for young/meeks too.

i think our main issues are - defense/not enough guys who can create their own shot - way too much of the burden to create offense is on kobe! we need players who can shoot and create. like nick young

IF we're looking for a guy whos in the healthy Matt Barnes mold, James Johnson is your guy. He didn't play much in SAC last year but when we played them early in the year and in preseason Kobe had some trouble scoring on him. He has a team option of $3.5 mil i think SAC will probably let him be a free agent we could sign him for the mini MLE (or portion of it). 26 yrs old, 6'8 got a 7'1 wingspan. Not athletic like Ariza but very active, hustles and defends.

Ronnie Brewer.. I dig that if it were go happen.
Shelby had said before the draft that he,wanted to drafted by the Lakers. I like what he,was doing at Kansas. I would not mind those two and possibly an extra big just incase Baby Joker is let go and Dwight it Pau have an injury